Sure, human trafficking might not be a subject you expect to see in the pages of NAILS, but it is happening in some nail salons right here in the United States. And thanks to one New York-based salon owner who is shedding light on the sad situation, maybe as an industry we can take a stand and do something about it.

We’re all pretty excited about Katie Cazorla’s new nail salon-focused reality show that’s premiering later this month (all the details are in our cover story here). After years of reality shows on everything from hoarders to bridezillas, it’s validating to finally have a reality show all of our own.

It’s savvy to make the effort to cultivate relationships with your salon’s business neighbors. That can mean literally the store on the other side of the wall or it can mean the retail boutique two miles down the road that targets a similar demographic as your business.

As we approach the end of 2010, I am making a mental checklist. How was this year? Did I accomplish the things I set out to do? Did I enjoy myself while doing so? What am I looking forward to (or dreading) for next year?

It’s been a while since the nail industry had something truly new to capture our imagination. But over the course of the last several years, several professional manufacturers have been fine-tuning gel technologies and the product developments are truly something to get excited about.

By definition, inspiration is a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation, or the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.